Bottle-vending machine.



E. C. LORENTZEN. BOTTLE VENDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16. 1915.

Patented May 8, 1917. 4 snms-snssr 1.

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E. C, LORENTZEN..

BOTTLE VENDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. I6, 1915.

LQQQQQQ V Patented May8, 1917. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2. Z4?

757; 50 7/ [7 17 a0 5s v E. C. LORENTZEN.

BOTTLE VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16, 1915.

Patented May 8, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 E. C. LORENTZEN. BOTTLE VENDING MACHINE. APPHCATION FILED MAR I6, 1915.

Patented May 8, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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J72: we 2'0 M if 'EDWARD C. LORENTZEN, OF KENDBICK TOWNSHIP, GREENE COUNTY, IOWA.

BOTTLE-VENDING MACHINE.

Specification 9f Iletters Patent.

llatented May 191?.

Application filed March 16, 1915. Serial No. iasai.

having a suitable magazine adapted to properly feed bottles orthe like in such amanneras to avoid breaking the bottles.

A further object is to provide such a device, whereby the bottles next tothe discharge aperture are passed through a refrigerator chamber. or cooling means,- so

that they maybe served cold.

Still a 'furt-heirobject is to provide in such a device a suitable receiving magazine for the empty bottles.

A further object is to provide in such a mechanism, a feeding machine of new and novel-construction adapted to be controlled by coins or slugs.

" Still a further object is to provide in such a machine suitable means for returning a coin when the empty bottle is returned to the machine. I

My invention further consists in the con-' struction, combination and arrangement of the various parts of the device, whereby the Ob]GCtS contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed-out in my claims and illustrated inthe a'ccom panying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front elevation of the cabinet in which ,the mechanism of my improved bottle vending machine rests.

Fig. 2 shows. a vertical sectional view of thesame taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a detail sectional view taken onthe line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4' shows a detail sectional view taken on the line (if-Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows a detail sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig.3.

Fig. 6 shows a detail view of a pawl and toothed member of the sliding eoin receiving bar. y

Fig. 7 shows a vertical sectional view through the mechanism for returning a coin when an empty bottle is returned to the inachine.

Fig. 8 shows a transverse vertical secat the desired level.

tional view of the same takenjon the line 8-8 of- Fig. and

Fig. 9 shows a vertical sectional view on "the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

In the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral 10, to indicategenerally a cabinet which contains the mechanism of my improved bottle vending machine. The cabinet is provided with doors 11 and 12, which'may be opened for supplying bottles to the feeding magazine and removing the bottles from the "receiving magazine, and removing the coins from the coin receptacle.

Suitably mounted within the cabinet between the upper and lower end thereof, is a pan or receptacle 1?, designed to receive ice 13 and to hold water 13", forcooling the bottles, as hereinafter described.

A suitable discliarge pipe 28 is mounted in the bottom of the receptacle 13 and extends to a point above the bottom thereof for maintaining the water in said receptacle Below the tube 28 is a waste water receptacle '29 supported. on a bracket 30. The receptacle may be removed through the door 12.

A transverse shaft 14- is suitably mounted in bearings within the cabinet 10, and on the shaft 14: is mounted a drum 15, having a plurality of longitudinal pockets 16 in its I outer surface, designed to receive the bottles 17, as herein later explained.

Starting near the upper rear portion of the interior of the cabinet, is a channel 18 which has openings at its rear end, and is inclined slightly downwardly and forwardly to thet'ront of the cabinet. A seeondchannel19 communicates with the front lower end of the channel 19 communicates with a similar channel 20, which extends forward and slightly downward in the cabinet to a position below the upper level of the drum l5, and in the rear of the longitudinal center thereof. Bottles 17 are fed in the channel 18 from the rear end thereof,

until all the channels, above described, are full. Parts are so arranged that only one bottle can pass from one channel to the A shield 21 extends around the lower portion of the drum 15 from the lower edge of the channel 20 to a point on the forward side of the rum 15 slightly below the horizontal midd thereof. Extending downwardly and outwardly from the forward end of the shield 21, 1s a delivery way, or channel 22 at the outer end of which is a pocket 23 for holding the bottle 17, until removed by the customer.

In the front wall of the cabinet '10 just below the receptacle 13 is an opening 24* which communicates with a series of channels 25, 26, and 27, which communicates successively with each other, and are in each case inclined slightly downwardly and across the cabinet, being ingeneral of similar construction to the channels 18, 19, and 20. The channels 25, 26, and 27 constitute a magazine for the reception of empty bottles, while the channels 18,19, and 20, constitute a supply magazine.

Outside the drum 15 at one end thereof a pinion 31 is mounted on the shaft 14 in mesh with a pinion 32, loosely mounted on a counter shaft 33.

The pinion 32 is provided at regular intervals with teeth 34, which are longer than the remainder of the teeth of said pinion.

In the. exemplification of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, I have shown a pinion 32 with every third tooth longer than the other teeth on the pinion. Fixed to the pinion 32 is a ratchet 35. Mounted onthe shaft 23 adjacent to the ratchet 35 is an operating lever 36 which extends forward in the machine through a vertically elongated slot 37 in the front wall of the cabinet. Pivoted to the lever 36 is a pawl 38, adapted to coact with the ratchet 35 for rotating the ratchet 35, and the gear 32 in one direction. Mounted on the casing I wall'hbove the level of the pinion gear 32 is a bracket or supporting member 39 havin a lateral extension 40, to which is secure a coil spring 41. The coil spring 41 is also secured to the lever 36, and serves to yield ingly hold the lever at the upper limit of its movement. The slot 37 serves to limit the movement of the lever 36 in-both directions.

Fixed to the front wall of the cabinet on the interior thereof, adjacent to the slot 37,

is a toothed bar 42, which is curved on the arc of a circle having its center in the longitudinal axis of the shaft 33. Pivoted between its ends to the lever 36 adjacent to the bar 42 is a pawl 43. Secured to the rear end of the pawl 43 and to the pin 44 mounted on the lever 36 is a coil spring 45, adapt ed to hold the pawl 43 parallel with the le ver 36. When the lever 36 is pushed downwardly, the tooth of the bar 42 engages the pawl 43 and tilts its forward free end slightly upwardly until the free end of the pawl 43 clears said, bar, as thelever 36 conbetween the guides clining hook member 49, the lower edge of which is beveled at 50. The sliding rod 47 is pivoted to the member 48 near the for-- ward end thereof. The horizontal portion 40 of the bracket 39, extends forwardly in the machine through an opening 51 therein, and is formed with a shoulder spaced inwardly from the front wall of the cabinet. The sides of the portion 40, at the forward end thereof, are bent upwardly to form guides 53 for the coin carrying plate 54, which slides freely on the member 40, and At its outer end, the coin carrying plate 54 has an upward extension 55 to serve as a handle. The plate 54 is secured at its rearward end at 56 to a member 57, the upper surface of which is inclined upwardly and forwardly from its rear end at 58. At the upper end of the inclined portion 58 is a notch or slot 59.

The member 57 slides in an opening in the upright member 47. A coil spring 60 is secured to a lug 61 on the plate 54 and to the front wall of the casing,'and tends to hold the plate 54 at the forward limit of 'its movement,

In the extension 40 within the cabinet and between the shoulder 52 and the forward wall of the cabinet, is an opening 62, designed to permit a coin to pass through the member 40. Inthe plate 54 is a coin receiving opening 55, designed to be outside the cabinet when the plate 54 is at the forward limit of its movement, and to register with the opening 62 when the plate 54 is at the rear limit of its movement. The plate 54 is of substantially-the same thickness as the coin, to be used chine.

Slidably mounted just inside the front wall of the cabinet above the plate is a vertical bolt 63, having on its lower end a head 64 which travels in a guideway- 65. If

to operate the mathe plate 54 is pushed rearwardly into the cabinet without a com in the plate or slot 54, the head 64 will travel into the opening 55, and prevent the plate 54 from reaching the rearward limit of its movement. If, however, a coin is placed in the slot 55 before the plate 54 is pushed inwardly, then the head'64'will travel over the coin, and will not prevent the movement of the plate 54. The lower face or surface of the head 64 is beveled from its rear edge, upwardly and forwardly, so as to permit the return of the plates54 from its rear to its forward position. A spring 66 yieldingly holds the rod 63 and the head 64 at the lower limit of their movement.

It will be seen from the foregoing description, that the rearward movement'of the plate 54 and the member '57 with its beveled upper edge will cause the member 47 to be raised, thereby raising the member 48, and lifting the hook 49. until the lowerteeth before engaging another of the longer teeth. It will be assumed that the feed magazine is full, and that the pockets of the drum 15 have been filled. The coin is inserted in the opening 55 and the slide bar 54 is pushed inwardly. The member 64 will slide over the coin and permit the slide bar 54 to be pushed to the inward limit of itsmovement. For requiring the making of the complete inward stroke of the bar 54, the edge thereon on the inside of the casing, is provided with teeth 67. Pivoted to the extension 40 is a pawl 68, one end of which is secured to the bolt 44. 'At each end of the series of teeth 67 is a notch 70. Be-

fore the commencing of the inward stroke 54 the free end of the pawl 68 stands received in the notch 70, at the left hand of said series of teeth, as shown in Fig. 6. It

'willhe seen when the stroke is commenced,

the pawl68 will engage the teeth and prevent the outward stroke of the slide bar 54,

until the inward stroke of said bar hasbeen completed, and the pawl enters the righthand notch 70. The slide .bar 54 is, pushed inwardly, carrying with it the member 57, 7

the beveled edge 58 of which engages the member 47 and pushes the same upwardly until the notch 59 is reached, when the member 47 drops into said notch. When the parts have reached thisposition, the hook 49- is raised until its'beveled edge will clear the shorter teeth of the gear 32. The handle 36 is grasped and forced'downwardly, the pawl 38 engages the ratchet '35, which is fixed to the pinion 32, and the gear 31 is thereby rotated a part of a revolution, thereby rotating the gear 31, the shaft 14, and the drum 15. As has already been 'eX-' plained, the pawl 43, and notched bar 42 makeit impossible for the lever 36 to return to its starting position, ,until its downward stroke has been completed. As the pinion 32 is rotated, the hook member 49 clears two passes the longer teeth, the lever 36 reaches the downward limit of its stroke, and the drum 15 reaches a proper position for delivering one of the bottles 17 to the pockets 23. The coin is dropped through an opening 62 into a coin chute 72, from whence it is delivered to a receptacle 73. The

empty bottles may be put into the chahneli 25 and delivered to the receiving magazine. It will be understood that the channels for receiving the bottles are so inclined that the bottles travel slowly down them which prevents the breaking of the bottles.

My deviceis of comparatively simple and durable 'construction, and is simple and easily operated.

Owingto the construction and arrangement of the parts, several bottles are always in the ice cold water, while the whole cabinet is cooled and serves as a refrigerating chamber.

Parts are so arranged that each stroke of the lever 36 moves the drum 15 a proper distance for delivering one bottle through the discharge aperture in the front of the cabinet. The bottles are easily placed in the feeding magazine, and removed from the lower magazine. a

In Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings, I have shown an exemplification of the mechanism for returning the coin when an empty bottle is returned to the machine. I

It is well known that in selling so drinks, such as pop and ginger ale and the like, it is frequently necessary to charge for the bottle, and to make a return payment when the bottle is returned.

I have provided mechanism for making shaft 85'is a mutilated gear 86, shown by.

dotted lines in Fig. 7, and having-gear teeth at a distance equal to one-fourth of its periphery, then a blank space for onefourth, and then gear teeth for one-fourth, then. a blank space for one-fourth, as shown in said figure. The teeth on the gear 86 are designed to mesh with the teeth at the gear 84, when thegear 86 is in proper position.

Mounted on the shaft 85, and fixed with relation to the gear 86, is a ratchet 87,shown by dotted lines in Fig. 7. Pivoted to the shaft 85 is an arm 88, shown by dotted lines. Pivoted on the arm 88 is a pawl 89, adapted to 'co'act with the ratchet 87. Pivoted to the lever or arm 88 is a link 90, suitably mounted on the casing 10. At a point between its ends is a lever 91, one end of which is pivoted to the link 90, and the other end of which, extends through a suitable slot in front of the casing to a position outside the cabinet or casing, where it is within easy access of an operator.

It may be noted that the ratchet 87 and pawl 89, and link 90, are so constructed and arranged that one stroke of the lever 91, when the ratchet is in the proper position, willmove the ratchet, and consequently the gear 86 one-fourth of a revolution, or a suf ficient distance to move the gear 86, from position, where one set of teeth thereon Will mesh with the teeth on the gear 84, to position where the other set of teeth thereon,

' will mesh with the teeth on the gear 84.

Mounted on the shaft 85 is a drum 92, similar to the drum 15, hereinbefore de' scribed. An. intake channel 93, extends through the front wall of the chamber 10, and is located with its inner end adjacent to the drum 92. On the opposite side of the drum 92 is a channel 9' adapted to receive bottles from the drum 92, and forming a part of a receiving magazine composed of the channels 94, 95, and 96.

Suitably mounted within the cabinet 10, is a vertical coin holding tube 99, supported above a plate 100. Slidingly mounted in suitable guides on the upper surface of the plate 100 is a coin moving slide bar 101, in

which is an opening designed to slide be-- neath the tube 99, and to receive one coin at a time, from said tube. The spring 102 normally holds the slide bar 101, at the rearward limit of its movement.

Communicating. with a suitable opening in the plate 100 and extending downwardly and forwardly therefrom is a coin conduct ing tube 103, which terminates in a cup 104:, outside the cabinet 10.. The forward end of the slide bar 101 is suitably pivoted to one arm of a bellrcrank lever 105. The. other arm of the bell-crank 105, is pivpted to a depending link 106. The link 106 1s pivoted to one arm of the bell-crank lever 107. One shaft 108 is fixed an arm-109 extending adjacent to the drum 92 in such position that when the dri im is rotated with bottles received in its'pockets, the bottles will raise the arm 109 thereby rotating the shaft 108,-

' It will be noted in the practical use of the form of the device shown in Figs. and 8,

the slide bar 101..for-

the rotation of the gear 32 caused by a full stroke of the lever 36, causes the mutilated gear 86 to move a fourth of a revolutionfrom its position shown in Fig. 7, when an empty bottle is returned to the channel 93,

and from th -e to the drum 92, and the lever '91 is pushed downwardly, the gear is moved through another one-fourth of a revolution proved bottle vending machine without departing from its essential features, and it 1s my intention to cover by this application any such changes which may be included within the scope of my claims.

I claim as my invention.

1. In a bottle vending machine, a cabinet, a bottle holding and discharging magazine therein, a bottle receiving magazine, means for operatively connecting said magazines, whereby. when the bottle holding and discharging magazine ismoved to discharging position, the bottle receiving magazine is moved to receiving position.

2. In a'device of the class described, a bottle vending mechanism comprising a cabinet having therein a bottle holding and feeding magazine, a drum mounted for rotation in said cabinet, having pockets, a guard for the lower portion of said drum, a water receptacle receiving the lower portion of said drum below the central axis thereof, the parts being so arranged that the drum receives and discharges the bottles above, the water level in r'said receptacle, a bottle receiving drum having pockets, a discharging carrier adapted'to receive bottles from said first drum, means for actuating said first drum, a bottle receiving device in the, wall. of said cabinet adapted to receive a bottle outside the wall and carry such bottle through said wall to position adjacent to said second 'druln, means for operatively connecting the first and second drums, whereby when 'the first drum is moved for discharging abottle the second drum'is moved to position where one of its pockets is in position to receive a bottle from said bottle receiving member.

3. In a device of the class described, a bottle vendingmechanism comprising a cabinet having 'therein a bottle holding and feeding magazine, a, drum mounted for rotation in said cabinet having pockets, a

uard for the lower portion of said drum,

b n I a water receptacle recelvlng the lower portion of said drum below the central axis thereof, the parts being so arranged that the drum receives and discharges the bottles above the water level in said receptacle, a

bottle receiving drum having. pockets, a discharging carrier adapted to receive bottles from said first drum, means for'actuating said first drum, a bottle receiving device in the wall of said cabinet adapted to receive a bottle outside the wall and carry a bottle'through said wall to position adjacent to said second drum, means for operatively connecting the first and second drums whereby when the first drum is moved for discharging a bottle, the second drum is moved to position where one of its pockets is in position to receive a bottle from said bottle receiving member, said means being so arranged that when said second drum is in its receiving position it may be rotated for a certain distance without effecting the first drum. 4

4; In a device of the class described, a bottle vending mechanism comprising a cabinet having therein a bottle holding and feeding magazine, a' drum mounted for rotation in said vcabinet having pockets, a guard for the lower portion of said drum,

a water receptacle receiving the lower portion of said drum below the central axis thereof, the -parts being so arranged that the drum receives and discharges the bottles above the water level in said re" ceptacle, a bottle receiving drum having pockets, a discharging carrier adapted to receive bottles from said first drum, means for actuating said first drum, a bottle receiv ing device in the wall of said cabinet adapted to receive a bottle outside the wall and carry a bottle through said wall to position adjacent to said second drum, means for operatively connecting the first and second drums, whereby when the first drum is moved to positionwhcre one of its pockets is in position to receive a bottle from said bottle receiving member, said means being soarranged that whensaid second drum is in its receiving position, it may be rotated for a certain distance without afl'ecting the firstdrum, and means adapted to be actuated from outside the cabinet, whereby partial rotation may be imparted to said second drum when said second drum is moved to its receiving position. Scranton, Iowa, Mob. 6, 1915.

EDWARD C. LORENTZEN.

Witnesses:

PERRY P. PITCHER, Jomv'Z. SACKEB. I 

